Last Week

Monday: Spent most of the day in extra rehearsals, listened to Adam and DJ debate about who would have the most fun in Hawaii, watched Darrin become stressed, talked with Tabitha about how the kitchen sink absolutely must stay home.

Tuesday: Pretended to be at work so my mother would stop asking me to run errands for her. Tried to pack for my trip. Went to the store a thousand times. Talked to my sister on the phone and found out we wouldn't be leaving for Utah until 9:30 p.m. Took my time, finished packing, cleaned my house. Left at 9:35 p.m.

Wednesday: Arrived in Utah at 4:30 a.m. Followed a snow plow for the final hour of travel through Coalville and Park City area. Slept on my sister's floor for three hours. Got up, showered and went to Provo to see Sully (YAY!), and AtP (YAY!). Left Provo at 10:45 a.m. Supposed to be at airport to pick up Tolkien Boy at 11:15 a.m. Drove very quickly. Arrived at airport just after 11:30 a.m. Put TB's luggage in my back seat, and TB in my front seat. Checked into hotel near airport. Let TB take huge amounts of luggage from my sister's trunk up to hotel room while I moved the car. Forgot room number. Wandered the halls of hotel. Heard TB singing in hotel room and located it by sound. Thank you, TB, for your random singy-ness (I know, not a word, don't care). Spent unknown amount of time with TB, then left to take him home. Went to sister's house and met with Darrin. Went to hotel to drop off kids. Went to TB's house again. Saw Edgy (met Edgy's boyfriend whom I like very much, but not as much as Edgy because he plays Scrabble with me), TB's mom and brother, Ambrosia and Bawb, two of TB's friends, Eleka, Mister Fob, FoxyJ, and Little Dude (Mister Fob and FoxyJ have adorable children). Visited for awhile, went to hotel room and crashed (very little sleep the night before).

Thursday: Got up and went for a run. Showered. Got on shuttle to airport. Lost Adam. Found Adam. Watched Darrin get stressed. Gathered with 39 other family members in terminal. Left Gate D8 and hid in Gate D3. Found in D3 by various family members who decided to stay with me until all 39 were there. Escaped to proper gate until time to board. Slept on plane for six hours after addressing Christmas cards. Slept through all children crying, one potty accident, three whispered adult altercations, and a couple of snacks. Arrived in Hawaii. Followed van caravan to Walmart to procure necessities. Arrived at hotel at 11:30 p.m. Went to bed and slept.

Friday: Awoke at 4:30 a.m. Contemplated going for a run. Snoozed for two more hours. Joined brother-in-law and nieces at pool at 6:30 a.m. Went with brother-in-law for a run (yay! running in Hawaii), came home showered and joined family at Polynesian Village. Tried not to kill oldest sister for being an insensitive bag as she threw temporarily parentless nephew (one year old) in stroller and wouldn't allow anyone to hold him as he bellowed his distress. Waited until oldest sister's back was turned and rescued loud nephew from stroller. Loud nephew weighs 30 pounds and is heavy. Carried loud, heavy nephew back to hotel to wait for absent parents. Went late with tardy parents and loud nephew to Polynesian Village VIP tour. Had a long lovely day at PV. Went to luau. Watched Darrin consume a month's worth of food in two hours. Left to escape crowds for 20 minutes. Went back for night show. Went home to hotel room. Slept very well.

Saturday: Awoke to find Darrin sick, sick, sick. This is what happens when one consumes a month's worth of food in two hours. Left sick Darrin in room and met with family at swimming pool. Went for a run in the rain--warm and beautiful rain. Ran to Hawaiian wildlife reserve. Quiet and no people--I could live there. Ran home, showered and drove along the coast to Honolulu to take kids to a swap meet. Shopped with Tabitha for two hours. Rested in the car eating all kinds of tropical fruits. Mmmmm..... Drove home the long way with kids in the back shouting about needing food and a potty break while my sister and I giggled. Left kids at McDonalds across the street from the hotel. Went in to check on Darrin, who insists on keeping the room temperature at 12 degrees and alternately growling and moaning. Left Darrin and hid in my dad's room. Went to dinner with Dad and siblings at local restaurant. Ate vegetables. Got taunted by siblings. Don't care. Just happy that I'm eating anything at all. Went back to Dad's room and napped on floor. Woke up and went to movie, National Treasure II, with DJ, Adam, Tabitha, and my parents. Got home at midnight and slept.

Sunday: Woke up too late to go running. Darrin was coherent but grouchy. Played with nephews by the pool, showered and got ready for church. Went to church and listened to scary, weird Christmas cantata. After church went to temple grounds with 39 family members and had portrait taken. Went home. Slept. Ate yellowfin tuna caught and cooked by brothers-in-law yesterday on deep sea fishing expedition. Opted not to go to temple visitor center for Joseph Smith movie. Chatted with Darrin--not grouchy anymore. Got online and chatted with AtP (whom I adore) and wrote blog entry.

The end